Outpatient Surgery

The day of your admission

Arrival at the clinic

You must arrive at the clinic fasted.
You will be told at what time to arrive during your pre-admission or by phone or text message the day before your admission. The admission time is calculated so that you are ready at the scheduled time of the operation.

Your administrative records will be checked on arrival then you will be shown to your room.

Once in your room

On your arrival, the ward nurse will explain the processes.

She will collect the various medical documents you have brought with you (x-rays, MRI, biological examinations, etc.) and check that you have signed the surgical consent form and designated a trusted person.

Finally, she will take your usual medication, which she is in charge of administering while you are in hospital.

Before going to the operating department

• You will be given a disposable hospital gown to wear in the operating department
• An identification bracelet will be attached to one of your wrists

Transfer to the operating department

A hospital porter will come and take you to the operating department where the medical team will be waiting. You will go to the operating department on foot or on a trolley according to your condition and the nature of your operation.

Arrival in the operating department

On arrival, you will be met by the surgical team.

The anaesthetist will check there have been no new events since the pre-anaesthesia consultation and that your records are complete.

A drip will be set up.

The operating theatre charge nurse will check your identity, the nature of the operation, and the side to be operated on. She will also check that you are fasted and that you don’t have any allergies.

In some cases, the anaesthetist will insert a nerve block before the operation so that the numbness of the surgical site can be extended to decrease post-operative pain.

You will then be taken to the operating theatre and positioned on the operating table.
Anaesthesia will be initiated and the operation will be carried out.

After the operation: post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU)

After the operation, you will be taken to the post-anaesthesia care unit or ‘recovery room’ where your length of stay will vary.

During your time in the recovery room, your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation) will be monitored continuously to ensure good recovery from the anaesthetic and the operation.

The healthcare staff in the recovery room will monitor the intensity of the post-operative pain and analgesics will be administered if necessary. They will ensure recovery of motor function of the limb operated on as well as the absence of severe bleeding around the scar or drains.

When the recovery room lead anaesthetist deems possible, you will be taken back to your room on a trolley.

After the operation: return to your room

When you return to your room, you will be looked after by a nurse and an auxiliary nurse who will ensure you are comfortable.

Your pain will be regularly assessed. The anaesthetist in charge of post-operative pain management will prepare a variety of analgesics.

You will be brought a little snack at a time specified by the anaesthetist to ensure gastrointestinal transit has resumed before returning home.

If a drain was put in place during the operation, it will be removed by the nurse and your dressing will be changed.

The physiotherapist will come and give you instructions regarding post-operative rehabilitation.

Your surgeon will come and see you the evening of your operation to tell you how it went, give you post-operative instructions, and confirm your discharge.